Thursday, September 28, 2006

I'm hosting this year. Yikes, I'm way over my head, but super excited.

Every year I make the trek up north (and I don't mean to cottage country - though I did that one year and it was fabulous). I'm talking northern Ontario, where fall is picture-perfect, the air is clean and the people are warm. Ahhhh. Thanksgiving is my favourite weekend of the year.

This year we're mixing it up and spending the weekend in the city. I've never done this. We've invited my parents and my sister's family. My sister's family, I love the sound of that. My nephew, the the cutest boy I know, was born three weeks before my daughter. Oh and I'm sure R. the most beautiful golden retreiver in the world is coming too. So that makes five people and a dog visiting the three of us. Fun!

So I've got my work cut out for me. I just realized they will be here in a week and I've got a million things to do. Help!!! Where do I order a turkey? Am I too late? Petite gourmand, or anyone else that likes to entertain, do you have any fabulous suggestions to knock their socks off? Please help. I want this to be special.

Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Yesterday Gracie and I went on a road trip. We brought our friend M to Target. She'd never been and really wanted to see what all the fuss was about. She even took a day off work.

I was game, so off we went. I love introducing people to new shopping experiences...even if it's just target. I'm a cross-boarder shopper from way back. When my husband was in biz school, I used to take the biz wives (lame, I know) on shopping trips to Michigan. Somerset Collection anyone? Ohhh, that's a whole other post.

Anyway, back to our target adventure. I'm not a huge, huge fan, but I like their housewares and stationery department. She was on a mission for sheets. Unfortunately target was not at it's peak. It was a drag, but that's how it goes. You know how sometimes you hit it and it's a cheap, shopping mecca? Oh well.

We didn't come away empty handed. I got some Amy Coe crib sheets and a halloween costume for Gracie and M went to town in the halloween boolevard section.

It was fun to get away and have some adult conversation too. The trip just flew by. It was a great girls day. We already have plans to do it again soon.

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Nothing like a quick shop to brighten your spirits. Friday's expedition was unsuccessful, but yesterday morning I had one, glorious, baby-free hour. That did the trick.

I did a one stop, well actually two shop stop and found just what I wasn't looking for. A great, brown leather bag. A soft, camel, cashmere t.neck. And a pair of brown, round-toe, knee-length boots. Yikes I did a little damage, but it was worth it.

Friday, September 22, 2006

I need out! I can't believe it's Friday. Don't get me wrong, the week has not flown by, but I don't know where it went. I hate that feeling of not getting anything accomplished. ahhhhh...

Gracie and I have been pretty much housebound all week. She's been battling a cold and I've been warding one off. We've both been irritable, grouchy and stir crazy. I had all these plans then wham...cold takes over.

So that's it. We're not feeling 100% but enough is enough. We gotta get outta here and do something. A little retail therapy is in order. Hopefully that will do the trick.....

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Do you know any 93 year olds? I do and she's incredible.Yesterday we took a drive to Orillia to visit my husband's grandmother. Yep, so that makes her Gracie's great grandma. There were actually lots of grandparents to go around, because my husband's parents met us there.

Gracie was a hit. She was smiling, giggling and playing peek-a-boo with everyone. Babies just have a way of bringing out the best in people. And there is something extra special about babies and elderly people.

My husband's grandma is something else. She looks great and is going strong. Okay her short term memory is going a little, but hey she's 93! Ask her about the past, and she doesn't miss a beat. I could listen to her stories all day. And she had great advice about babies. She is a mother of four, a grandmother to ten, and a great grandmother to seven. She's had her practice!

I hope my daughter has some of her good genes. Hell, I wish I had some!

Monday, September 18, 2006

Gracie is sick and it sucks. The poor little thing just looks at me with her big, blue (well now watery and kinda red) eyes as if to say "do something, fix it."

It breaks my heart. I know it's just a little cold but I hate to see her suffer. Normally she's a pretty happy baby and into everything, but today she's lethargic and a bit whiny. I don't blame her, I can be a bear when I'm sick.

One good thing is she wants to cuddle. Little miss independent has turned into a cozy, little, cuddler and I love it. Last night I rocked her as I fed her a bottle and it was so nice. Usually she squirms and wants her space, so this is new.

Saturday, September 16, 2006

The cool girl. You know her. Stylish outfit with just the right accessories, perfect hair, (all effortless), smart, fun job ahh the list goes on and on.. Well on Thursday this girl was my dinner guest. I know, I know, why do I torture myself?

I've been meaning to get together with this gal for the longest time. We're from the same hometown, our mothers are friends, and I think she's cool. So dinner it was.

It seemed like a good idea at the time but then in the midst of getting ready with a busy 9 month old I started to lose it. Petite gourmand I was tempted to beg for your services, as I almost served sweet potato puree and baby mum mums.

At around 4pm I made the panic call to my sister. "I'm not ready...help!" She can always set me straight.

Clean house. Check. Fresh flowers. Check. Table set. Check. Good outfit. uuhh no, and no time so I settle for 7 jeans (no skinny jeans will not be making an appearance on this body anytime soon)

Ahh now to the cooking...risotto takes forever, or at least it seems to when you are trying to entertain a baby. Somehow I managed to pull it together at the last minute.

Okay so not only did she show up looking chic, but she was super nice and fun. We had a great time. She got us caught up on all the cool places in town and we laughed about the good old days when we knew the places. She had originally told us she had to leave by nine. But because we passed the test, and didn't bore the hell out of her, she stayed well past ten.

Even my husband had fun. As we were going to bed, I was reliving the conversation, and saying how cool I thought she was. And he said, "that used to be you."

Well not quite. Actually not even close. But it did make me smile. Maybe my daughter will be like her one day.

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

I did it. Yep, that's right. I finally did it and it went so well I did it again yesterday. Yikes twice in five days. I'm getting crazy.

Child care, day care, babysitting, no matter what you call it, it still comes down to leaving your child. She's almost nine months old, and Friday was the first time I left Gracie with a stranger. Okay, she was a qualified stranger and I was in the next room working out, but it was a big moment for me.

Fortunately it was no big deal to Gracie. She went right into the arms of the stranger without any hesitation. As I peered into the window to see how she was doing, she was busy discovering all the new toys. She didn't even notice when I came back an hour later to pick her up. I got down on the floor and then she squealed when she saw me. Well, maybe that's wishful thinking. It was more of a big smile, but a mother can dream can't she?

Guess I'm the one that's going to need therapy for separation anxiety not her.

Thursday, September 07, 2006

About once a week I drive my husband to work (well he drives there and then I drive home). For him it's a chance to sleep in but for me it's an event. It goes something like this....

1. Say hello to neighbours that I never see. 2. Stop at neighbourhood cafe for coffee. 3. Listen to talk radio or Derringer on Q107 (hubby's got me hooked) depending how grumpy he is.4. He weaves through traffic while I sip my coffee and take in the sights.

I love people watching. The crazy-ass couriers, the business men and women, kids hurrying to school....ahh the buzz of city life before 9:00 a.m. I love the hustle and the bustle. In fact I miss it.

He thinks I'm crazy. Why would I choose to enter this rat race if I didn't have to? What's so exciting?

He doesn't get my need to feel a part of the working world, if not just for twenty minutes. He gets to put on a suit, go to his big, important job, step out for a Starbucks break, meet friends for lunch, be a part of the action. While I spend the majority of my day I babbling to my 8 and a half month old, or singing mindless, made up songs. Don't get me wrong, I love being with her, but sometimes I crave adult stimulation.

So during that morning drive, I pretend like I'm heading to my big, fancy, downtown office. As we pull up to his office tower and I step out of the passenger's side and make my to the driver's seat, I feel like an outsider in my uniform of flipflops, yoga pants, tank top and hair in a messy ponytail.

On the way home as I listen to my baby coo in the back seat as I sing Sharon, Lois and Bram, I smile. And thank my lucky stars that I'm on maternity leave.

Monday, September 04, 2006

I used to be a person who never wore sweatpants. I didn’t even own a pair. Okay wait let’s rephrase a bit to be completely honest. I had a pair of regulation (old fashion word – my Gramma always uses) grey drawstring sweats that I wore strictly for working out. But other than that forget it. I wasn’t one of these people in university that bummed around in sweats (in fact I think the girls on my floor wouldn’t be caught dead in them – but that’s a whole other post)

Sweatpants, jogging pants whatever you want to call them were just not a part of my wardrobe. That’s not to say I think I’m too good for sweatpants or that I don’t like them. My sister (gorgeous girl that she is) swears by sweatpants, in fact she would probably go to school in her pajamas. Come to think of it she has. But for some people it just works. I'm not one of them.

I like jeans. That’s as casual as I get, or well used to. You see that’s the problem. I have to admit that since I’ve had my daughter it’s been yoga pants (I still can’t admit to wearing something called sweatpants) pretty much non-stop. They’ve become a wardrobe staple. Now sure I’ve dressed them up the best I could … stylish lululemon numbers in all colours, but that’s a slippery slope because it soon evolved into joe fresh capri yoga pants. In fact my uniform this summer (I am ashamed to admit) has been black capri joe fresh yoga pants and a black tank layered over a white tank. Oh the horror!

But the absolute worst took place this August and I can just bring myself to talk about it now. My sister (yeah the pretty one who lives in sweats) sent me a pair of purple, cozy, drawstring, regulation (so not yoga pants at all), sweatpants from Roots. I loved them! I never took them off while visiting my in-laws at their cottage.

My only saving grace is that they haven’t made an appearance in the city yet. And I vow that they never will. I have even framed a beautiful, old, j. crew catalogue cover as inspiration.

So starting this week (I should have put this on my previous list – geez) I will buy some proper attire for fall and retire the sweatpants.

Saturday, September 02, 2006

Ahhh the start of a new season. Well almost, I'm sure it will be warm for another month, but at least fall is around the corner.

September is like a new year in the middle of the year. A time to set goals, break bad habits and start a new list. So here goes. My September resolutions (the first of many lists on this blog....I'm a chronic list writer)

1. be kinder and more patient with my husband (I put it first b/c it needs the most work and attention!)2. exercise...no longer use the I just had a baby excuse (it's been almost 9 months and that extra 10 has got to go)3. call my friends (that is if I still have any - I hate the phone and am the worst for keeping in touch)4. make the most of the last 4 months of my mat. leave5. find a nanny or a daycare or quit my job....the dreadful decision must be made6. make an effort to get to know my neighbours (we've lived here just over a year) 7. follow through with my party ideas to fufil #6 (missed opportunity for it's summer come over for a margarita or we've got grass come see our new backyard - maybe I can entice them with the cozy sweater martini recipe I recently found)8. call my inlaws, no really this is a must9. finalize invitation designs for new website10. not stress over them or worry about what they'll think...(dad, I'm still not quite sure who they are, but I'm trying to ignore them!)

A separate little mama list for good measure.

forgive myself for....only breastfeeding for 4 monthsindulging in daily doses of the y & rnot getting every thank you card out on timenot loving my mother's groupbeing materialistic (I admit I love seeing gracie in cute designer duds and pushing her in her fancy stroller)

I hope in four short months from now I'm reading this and feel satisfied about my accomplishments. I doubt it. But a girl can dream can't she?